The Pittsburgh Steelers have a formidable 1-2 punch at wide receiver with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. The Steelers also have third-year wideout Calvin Austin and veteran Allen Robinson.But assuming Robinson could suffer a player injury this offseason, Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus suggested the Steelers as the landing spot for two-time All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas.”Pittsburgh brought Allen Robinson aboard as a big slot receiver in 2023, and while his lack of production wasn’t entirely his fault, the Steelers could make another push with Thomas coming in at third alongside Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Spielberger. wrote: “Move Johnson and Pickens more in the slot, which helps create more isolations like corner routes, an area where Pickens excelled in 2023, adds versatility to the entire unit.”.
In 2018-19, Thomas was arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. He led the league in catches both seasons. His 149 catches in 2019 set a new NFL record.Thomas also had an NFL record 1,725 yards in 2019.He was a First Team All-Pro in both 2018 and 2019. Thomas also won NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2019.However, Thomas has not been the same player over the past four seasons, mostly due to injuries. He had 39 catches for 448 yards and one touchdown in 10 games with the New Orleans Saints last season.Thomas finished the 2023 season on injured reserve. He suffered a season-ending knee injury on November 12.How Michael Thomas Could Handle The SteelersThe Steelers Could Save $10 Million By Cutting Robinson This Offseason. While he was a valuable blocker for the team in 2023, it’s an almost negligible cut from Pittsburgh’s $14 million salary cap hit, according to Spotrac.In his place, the Steelers could sign Thomas, who has experience both in and out of the slot.He had 381 snaps and 109 sacks last season, according to PFF.Thomas signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Saints through 2023. Thomas was drafted by New Orleans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and never played for another team.Spotrac projected the 30-year-old’s market value at $9.2 million on a 1-year deal this offseason.While it may not be cheap, it is less than what Robinson should be producing. Thomas was also more productive than his 30-year-old counterpart when healthy.Robinson had 34 catches for 280 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games with the Steelers in 2023.Need less steel to add slot WR with new OC Arthur Smith?The Steelers deal for Thomas is intriguing. But it’s hardly a slam dunk.Thomas has played in just 20 total games over the past four seasons. He has been dealing with various injuries and will return in 2024 after another illness.More importantly, slot receiver may not be as big of a need now that the Steelers have hired Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator.”Last week I said Slot WR was a big need for the Steelers,” Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “There is little production.”Under Arthur Smith, the Falcons have had the fewest slow WR targets in the last two years. Not having 11 personnel (32nd in the NFL last season), Pittsburgh doesn’t use it much. Less need.”Last week I said slot WR was a big Steelersand#039; need. There’s little production.Under Arthur Smith, the Falcons hit the fewest WR targets in two years. Because he didn’t does.Pole 11 personnel (32nd in NFL last season), not used much in Pittsburgh Need less.— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) January 31, 2024With that in mind, it probably would make more sense for the Steelers to save $10 million on Robinson and spend it elsewhere on the roster rather than another slot receiver.Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter for Heavy.com covering the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb covered college and professional sports for outlets such as Fansided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. 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